MILWAUKEE — Baseball has always been a passion for Dr. Demetrios Douros.
Douros specializes in sports medicine as an orthopedic surgeon at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin.
“Like most European immigrant families, soccer is the most important sport to play,” said Douros. “I really enjoyed playing baseball growing up and took to it.”
Douros played throughout high school and in college. He even had an opportunity to play on a much larger scale.
“My parents were watching a Greek language show and [that was] when they saw that Greece was trying to get together a baseball team in 1999 in preparation for the Olmpics in 2004, which were going to be held in Athens, Greece. They were looking for players,” said Douros.
He joined the Greek National Baseball team and began preparing for the Olympics. Douros said it was an experience he’ll always cherish.
“Being part of all the different aspects of being a part of the Olympics that includes just being with your team, the opening ceremonies, being in the Olympic Village,” said Douros.
Douros said competing in the Olympics has helped him become a better surgeon.
“I feel like the experiences I had in my life has made it easier for me to relate and understand where athletes are coming from,” said Douros.
While he traded in a jersey for a white coat, he’s still a part of the sport. He coaches youth baseball in Shorewood.
“There’s not many things that are satisfying then teaching someone something well and seeing them succeed,” said Douros.
He is passing on the torch to the next generation and maybe even future Olympians.